The CBB :: View topic - Boredom and an arrival.

#1: Boredom and an arrival. Author: catherine, Location: York

Posted: Sun Mar 14, 2004 6:44 pm

Kit Lucy sat staring gloomily out of the window, her eyes fixed on nothing in particular; indeed there was nothing in particular to see since it was a grey, overcast day and pouring with rain.
“Penny for them, Kit!” Janie Lucy came to sit by her youngest daughter, an anxious frown on her face for Kit had been decidedly low in spirits and unlike herself over the past few days.
“Not worth it.” Kit forced a smile to her face as she turned to her mother, who wasn’t taken in.
“Why the gloomy face then?” She demanded lightly.
“Was I looking gloomy? Sorry!” Kit tried to dispel the worry from her mother’s face but Janie gave her a gentle shake.
“Katharine Margaret Lucy! I’ve known you for almost twelve years and you can’t fool me!” Janie reproached her. “I’m your mother and I know when you’re miserable! What’s wrong?”
“I’m bored! Bored, bored, bored!” Kit uncharacteristically threw herself at her mother who hugged her tightly, albeit with an amused expression. She could understand, though. Kit was the youngest of six but all her older brothers and sisters were making their own way in the world and were rarely at home. Indeed, Julie, the eldest of them, was married with two young children of her own. In term time, Kit attended the Chalet School, along with Kate Atkins, who was the same age and had been Kit’s constant companion since they were babies. They were two weeks into the Summer Holidays however and Kate was away in France as were most of Kit’s other friends on the Island. Kit was an active and sociable young person and being cooped up in the house, on her own, was more than enough to depress her spirits. Janie and Julian Lucy, her parents, had done their best for her but not even the best of parents could make up for the companionship of close friends. Janie frowned hard, racking her brains to think of something for Kit to do but her thoughts were interrupted by the doorbell ringing. She released Kit and got up to answer it.
“I’m awfully sorry to disturb you.” A man stood there, an apologetic expression on his face and a girl and a boy of about ten or eleven standing behind him. “We’ve taken the house next door as a holiday let and they said they’d leave the key with you.”
“Of course!” Janie said instantly, a warm smile lighting up her face. “You must be Mr Richards?”
“Charles, please.” The gentleman said quickly.
“And I’m Janie Lucy. Come in, do! It may take me a moment to find the key and you can’t stand out here in the rain!” She ushered the three into the sitting room and Kit hastily got to her feet, her expression still gloomy.
“Somebody looks as gloomy as the weather does!” Mr Richards chuckled and Janie laughed.
“She’s awfully bored, I’m afraid. All her friends are on holiday at the moment and with the weather like it is, she can’t even go out. Kit, this is Mr Richards, he and his family have taken the house next door for a month.” Janie paused, glancing enquiringly at the two children.
“Emily and Edward; our eldest pair.” Mr Richards answered. “How old are you, Kit?”
“Eleven. I’m twelve at the end of the month.”
“Aha! In that case, I have a solution to the boredom problem! These two aren’t much younger than you; they’re twelve at the end of September and I’m sure they could do with a companion other than themselves to mess about with! Isn’t that right, you two?!” He grinned.
“Only if she wants to.” Emily said shyly.
“Want to?!” Kit cried. “I should think I do! You’ve no idea how bored I’ve been! Come on to my room and we can get to know each other!”
“Not so fast, Kit!” Janie caught her daughter as she made to join Emily. “They’ve only just arrived and I’m sure they’ve a lot of work to do to get things organised. I’ve a better idea! Mr Richards – Charles, would you and your family like to join us for tea? I’m sure you’ll all be very tired and hungry by the time you’ve finished and your wife will be glad not to have to prepare tea! Suppose we arrange it for about fiveish? My husband should be back at about six so you would get the chance to meet him if you stayed for a while. We’re going to be neighbours for a month so we might as well we get to know each other!” Janie ended on a laugh.
“That would be wonderful!” Mr Richards agreed. “Are you sure you can manage though? There are rather a lot of us. Besides these two, we have Amy, who’s seven, Robert, who’s five, and three year old twins, Ella and Sophie.”
“Oh you don’t need to worry about that! I’ve six children myself!” Janie laughed. “Kit here is the youngest of them; the rest are all grown up and have their own homes but they come for Christmas and other occasions so I’m quite used to cooking for a crowd! And I have Kit to help! Come and welcome.”
“We will.” Mr Richards promised. “Emily and Kit certainly ought to get to know each other; I understand you go to the Chalet School, Kit? Well, Emily will be joining you in Switzerland in September!”
“Really?! And I’ve got first skim at you?!” Kit exclaimed excitedly. “Marvellous! Oh these holidays are going to be such fun, I just know it!” She exclaimed and everyone within hearing laughed.

#2: Author: Jennie, Location: Cambridgeshire

Posted: Sun Mar 14, 2004 6:51 pm

AAAAAAAAAAAHHHHHHHHHHHHHHH1 Lovely.

#3: Author: Cazx, Location: Swansea/Bristol

Posted: Sun Mar 14, 2004 7:09 pm

This is a really sweet snippet Catherine, don't suppose we could ask for more?

#4: Author: catherine, Location: York

Posted: Sun Mar 14, 2004 7:14 pm

There isn't anymore! It's just a brief story showing how the pair met.

I suppose I could be persuaded into writing more when I have time if enough people really want it.

#5: Author: Sarah_K, Location: St Albans

Posted: Sun Mar 14, 2004 7:18 pm

It's a very nice brief story Very Happy

I remember many summers of boredom, you never quite appreciate school as much as when you're not there.

#6: Author: Chelsea, Location: Your Imagination

Posted: Sun Mar 14, 2004 7:20 pm

Not to sound dumb, but what pair met? Do we see Emily Richards at the CS?

#7: Author: catherine, Location: York

Posted: Sun Mar 14, 2004 9:09 pm

Emily's the central character in a possible book. I posted the first couple of chapters at the beginning of the year, they may still be in the archives if you're interested.

#8: Author: Chelsea, Location: Your Imagination

Posted: Sun Mar 14, 2004 9:11 pm

Can you remind me of the title of the drabble? I'm sure I'll remember the momment you tell me (isn't it always like that!) but for now I am drawing a blank.

#9: Author: Lesley, Location: Rochester, Kent

Posted: Sun Mar 14, 2004 9:15 pm

Thanks for that Catherine!

#10: Author: catherine, Location: York

Posted: Sun Mar 14, 2004 9:22 pm

Chelsea wrote:

Can you remind me of the title of the drabble? I'm sure I'll remember the momment you tell me (isn't it always like that!) but for now I am drawing a blank.

Emily at the CS.

Link if you want it:
http://members.lycos.co.uk/thecbb/emily.html[/url]

#11: Author: Carolyn P, Location: Lancaster, England

Posted: Sun Mar 14, 2004 10:13 pm

Thanks catherine. That was good, and you capture the feelings of boredome beautifuly, nice to see more of Janie as well. I like her.

May I ask a question, how did Mr Richards know that Kit went to the CS? (sorry)

#12: Author: Chelsea, Location: Your Imagination

Posted: Sun Mar 14, 2004 10:16 pm

Thanks for the link. I recongnise the beginning but I must have missed the end when I was away for the holidays.

#13: Author: Chloë, Location: London: when away from home planet!

Posted: Sun Mar 14, 2004 10:32 pm

That's lovely Catherine

#14: Author: catherine, Location: York

Posted: Sun Mar 14, 2004 10:45 pm

Carolyn P wrote:

Oops! Forgot to explain that one!

He found out from the present owners who are friends of his!

#15: Author: Susan, Location: Carlisle

Posted: Mon Mar 15, 2004 1:04 am

Thank you Catherine for a nice story.

#16: Author: Vikki, Location: Possibly in hell! It's certainly hot enough.......

Posted: Mon Mar 15, 2004 1:09 am

Yes! that was lovely!! Thank you Catherine!
*huggles*

#17: Author: pim, Location: the place where public transport doesn't work properly!

Posted: Mon Mar 15, 2004 3:25 am

Yay, fab-u-leuse, thanks Catherine!

#18: Author: KB, Location: Melbourne, Australia

Posted: Mon Mar 15, 2004 8:38 am

That was great, Catherine!

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